| Deer Mouse |
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Microtus spp.
Characteristics
Size: Voles are larger than the house mouse with adults measuring up to five inches in head and body length. The tail, however, is shorter in relation to the body -- a vole’s tail ranges from one and three-fourth to two and three-fourth inches in length.
Color: Blackish-brown to grayish-brown depending on the species.
Voles have a blunt nose, small furry ears, and a scantily-haired tail.
Behaviour
Voles are also known as meadow mice and may be called orchard mice or field
mice. Because they are poor climbers, voles are almost always associated with
the lower levels of buildings. Outdoors, voles establish a well-defined system
of runways that usually tunnel beneath vegetation. Sometimes the runways will be
in the ground just below the surface. Voles also are known to girdle the trunks
of fruit trees which often results in the death of the tree.
Habitat
Widely spread across the united states, voles primarily live outdoors, preferring
dense grassy areas such as meadows or fields. For that reason, homes and
buildings these rodents might infest tend to be near such fields. They may also
be found invading stables and barns.
Tips for Control
Voles may invade homes, but unlike the house mouse, they do not establish
breeding populations indoors. The best ways to avoid invasions of mice is to (1)
provide as little harborage as possible that might attract rodents, and (2) seal
as many holes and cracks in the outside of the home through which mice might
enter. The following recommendations should be followed to help prevent rodents
from seeking the shelter provided by your home:
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Keep firewood stored as far from the home as possible and store it off the ground.
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If possible, remove any piles of debris, stones, bricks, etc. If these are near the foundation of the home they serve as harborages to attract rodents. Once there, it is any easy step for rodents to enter the building itself.
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Do not allow piles of leaves to accumulate next to the home's foundation. This also serves as attractive harborage for rodents - mice in particular.
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Seal any hole or crack larger than 1/4 of an inch. A good rule of thumb is that if a pencil can fit into it, a mouse could too. Large holes or cracks should be stuffed with steel wool or wire mesh before sealing with caulk or foam, otherwise rodents could chew through to enter.
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Install good, thick weatherstrip on the bottom of all doors to prevent rodents from entering.
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Remember, our service includes coverage of commensal rats and mice, and much of the service provided is to inspect for signs of rodents and to maintain preventive control measures.
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a member of THE PEST CONTROL ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA